New Zealand took the honours in the Gold Coast, after a 14-0 victory in the final against Fiji, while Scotland return to the tournament looking to defend their victory in last year’s London leg.

The Twickenham round of the series is usually the last leg, but this year that honour goes to Paris.

How does sevens differ from fifteens?

It’s a lot quicker. With seven players on the pitch instead of fifteen, there’s a lot more space to play in and therefore a lot more space for breaks and for running rugby. Forwards are quick and backs are lightning, and everyone is expected to contribute in all phases of the game.

Possession is crucial – if you have the ball you’re likely to be tiring out defences, so you’ll want to avoid breakdown situations if at all possible.

The team who scores kicks off, so as to avoid the situation that one team only has the ball all half, and conversions are drop kicks. Scrums and lineouts are three-player affairs (minus the scrum-half or hooker).

When and where is the tournament?

Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 June 2018 at Twickenham Stadium, London.

The group stages are played over the Saturday, while the Cup and Challenge knockout rounds will be played on the Sunday.

What are the groups and fixtures?

Pool A:

Fiji

New Zealand

Scotland

Argentina

Pool B:

Australia

Wales

Spain

Ireland

Pool C:

England

Kenya

United States

France

Pool D:

South Africa

Samoa

Canada

Russia

Both Pools A and C are exceptionally difficult groups this year. England’s group has three teams in the top eight of the current standings (England, Kenya and United States), while Scotland have three in the top 10 (Scotland, Fiji and New Zealand).

Who are the reigning tournament champions?

2008 – Samoa

2009 – England

2010 – Australia

2011 – South Africa

2012 – Fiji

2013 – New Zealand

2014 – New Zealand

2015 – United States

2016 – Scotland

2017 – Scotland

Scotland successfully defended their title last year, beating England in a 12-7 final.

England topped their group with three wins from three, beating South Africa and Canada en route to the final with Scotland, who had defeated New Zealand and the United States in the preceding knockout rounds.

Who are the reigning series champions and who is leading currently?

South Africa finished the 2016-17 World Rugby Sevens Series as champions, while England came second – their best ever result.

This season, Fiji lead the series thanks to wins in Hamilton and the three most recent tournaments: Vancouver, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Current top ten:

Fiji – 145 pts

South Africa – 141 pts

New Zealand – 120 pts

Australia – 108 pts

United States – 93 pts

Kenya – 93 pts

Argentina – 92 pts

England – 88 pts

Samoa – 55 pts

Scotland – 51 pts

Who are the players to watch?

Perry Baker and Carlin Isles of the United States are try machines, pacey as they come. Eroni Sau and Amenoni Nasilasila of Fiji are threatening players, while Luke Morgan of Wales is also performing very well this season.

England’s Dan Norton (L) and Dan Bibby will be looking for a victory on home turf in the London Sevens. (AFP/Getty Images)

There’s no re-entry to the stadium – once you’re in you won’t be allowed back out and in. No alcohol purchased from outside of Twickenham Stadium will be allowed through security, and there will be bag checks on the way in for security purposes.

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